Multi-fragrance scent dispenser

ABSTRACT

A multi-fragrance scent dispenser includes a housing having an outlet opening; first and second holders in the housing for holding first and second liquid fragrance containers having first and second wicks, respectively, extending out of the first and second liquid fragrance containers; a first heater positioned in the housing to be in surrounding relation to the first wick when the first liquid fragrance container is held by the first holder; a second heater positioned in the housing to be in surrounding relation to the second wick when the first liquid fragrance container is held by the first holder; a control circuit which selectively controls activation of the first and second heaters; and a blocking plate movable relative to the heaters for at least partially blocking escape of evaporated fragrance through the outlet opening from at least one of the first and second wicks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to scent dispensers, and moreparticularly, is directed to a scent dispenser for emitting multiplefragrances.

Although air fresheners or scent dispensers which deliver scents to anenclosed area are well known, most of these scent dispensers only emitone type of fragrance. However, a user becomes accustomed to aparticular scent over a period of time, and thereby loses any feelingfor that particular scent. In other words, the user becomes so used tothe scent that it is no longer noticeable to the user.

There are scent dispensers that can dispense multiple fragrances.

For example, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2002/0146242 to Vieiradiscloses a multiple-scent containing article formed by a flat circularcartridge with a plurality of scent elements around the peripherythereof, each containing a different scent. There is an opening so thatonly one scent element is exposed at a time, and a heater is positionedbelow the opening to heat the scent element and release the vapor. A fanflows the released vapor out of the cartridge. Alternatively, the diskcan remain stationary and a plurality of heating elements could beprovided. In addition, the device can be set for durations of time foreach scent. However, there is no arrangement for partially blocking theheating effect to each scent element to adjust the amount of scent thatis emitted.

As another example, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2002/0066798 toLaudamiel-Pellet et al discloses a multiple scent-containing articlehaving a plurality of heating elements that lie under thescent-containing receptacles in which the device can be set fordurations of time for each scent. However, again, there is noarrangement for partially blocking the heating effect to each scentelement to adjust the amount of scent that is emitted.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide amulti-fragrance scent dispenser that overcomes the problems with theaforementioned prior art.

It is another object of the present invention to provide amulti-fragrance scent dispenser that sequentially activates the heatersassociated with different fragrance materials during predetermined timeperiods.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide amulti-fragrance scent dispenser in which the activation of the differentheaters can be manually controlled.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide amulti-fragrance scent dispenser in which the activation of the differentheaters can be partially or wholly blocked to regulate the amount ofscent for each fragrance.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide amulti-fragrance scent dispenser having adjustable holders which can holddifferent shape and dimension bottles such that the wick thereof isalways at a desired position relative to the heater assemblies.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide amulti-fragrance scent dispenser which can use gel packs positioned abovethe heater assemblies or the fragrance containing bottles with wickssurrounded by the heater assemblies.

It is a yet further object of the present invention to provide amulti-fragrance scent dispenser having a fan for blowing the vaporizedfragrance out of the second dispenser.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a multi-fragrancescent dispenser includes a housing having an outlet opening; a firstholder in the housing for holding a first liquid fragrance containerhaving a first wick extending out of the first liquid fragrancecontainer; and a second holder in the housing for holding a secondliquid fragrance container having a second wick extending out of thesecond liquid fragrance container. A first heater is positioned in thehousing to be in surrounding relation to the first wick when the firstliquid fragrance container is held by the first holder, and a secondheater is positioned in she housing to be in surrounding relation to thesecond wick when the first liquid fragrance container is held by thefirst holder. A control circuit selectively controls activation of thefirst and second heaters. Further, there is at least one blocking platemovable relative to the heaters for at least partially blocking escapeof evaporated fragrance through the outlet opening from at least one ofthe first and second wicks.

The at least one blocking plate includes at least one opening formovement into and out of alignment with the first and second wicks foradjusting escape of the evaporated fragrance from the first and secondwicks. The at least one blocking plate is positioned above the first andsecond wicks for slidable movement relative to the first and secondwicks. A moving assembly is secured to the at least one blocking platefor moving the at least one blocking plate such that the at least oneopening is moved into and out of alignment with the first and secondwicks for adjusting escape of the evaporated fragrance from the firstand second wicks.

The moving assembly includes a slide plate connected to the at least oneblocking plate first for moving the at least one blocking plate to thedifferent positions; and a slide member connected to the slide plate andwhich is manually actuable for moving the slide plate, and thereby theat least one blocking plate. The housing includes a slide opening andthe slide member is accessible through the housing for manually movingthe slide member.

The control circuit includes an actuation circuit for alternatelycontrolling actuation of the first heater and the second heater. Theactuation circuit alternately controls actuation of the first heater fora predetermined time interval and the second heater for thepredetermined time interval. The actuation circuit further includes anoverride switch for controlling the actuation circuit to terminateactuation of the actuated heater and to actuate the non-actuated heater,regardless of the predetermined time interval, and then to start runningof the predetermined time interval. Preferably, the actuation circuitincludes a central processing unit.

A first light is visible through the housing and is activated when thefirst heater is actuated and a second light is visible through thehousing and is activated when the second heater is actuated.

In a preferred embodiment, the first holder includes an inturned wallfor receiving a neck of the first liquid fragrance container in asnap-fitting manner; and the second holder includes an inturned wall forreceiving a neck of the second liquid fragrance container in asnap-fitting manner. Specifically, each holder includes a cylindricalwall for receiving the neck in surrounding relation thereto, and theinturned wall is formed at a lower end of the cylindrical wall. In suchcase, each liquid fragrance container includes an outer lip on the neckfor snap-fitting with the inturned wall of the respective holder.

There is also a heater housing for holding each heater, and the at leastone blocking plate is movable between each heater housing and therespective wick.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, amulti-fragrance scent dispenser includes a housing having an outletopening; a first heater; a second heater; a first holder in the housingfor adjustably holding a first liquid fragrance container having a firstwick extending out of the first liquid fragrance container at a desiredheight such that the first wick is surrounded by the first heater whenthe first liquid fragrance container is held by the first holder; asecond holder in the housing for adjustably holding a first liquidfragrance container having a second wick extending out of the secondliquid fragrance container at a desired height such that the second wickis surrounded by the second heater when the second liquid fragrancecontainer is held by the second holder; and a control circuit forselectively controlling activation of the first and second heaters.

Each holder includes an adjustable platform for supporting therespective liquid fragrance container at a plurality of differentheights, a spring for biasing the respective platform in a directiontoward the respective heater, and a limit for limiting movement of eachplatform in the direction.

Further, each holder includes a clamp for clamping a neck of therespective container. In this regard, there is a support for holdingeach heater at a respective position, and a connecting assembly forconnecting the clamp to the support. Preferably, the connecting assemblyincludes a plurality of telescoping tubes which enables the clamp tomove toward and away from the respective heater, with the telescopingtubes being held in desired positions relative to each other byfriction.

Each clamp includes an adjustable clamping mechanism for clamping ontonecks having different diameters. Specifically, the adjustable clampingmechanism includes a clamp housing, two scissor arms mounted in theclamp housing, each having an arcuate holding section, a spring assemblyfor normally biasing the scissor arms toward each other to clamp aroundthe neck of a container, and extensions of the scissor arms for graspingin order to move the arcuate holder sections away from each otheragainst the force of the spring assembly.

There is also a gel pack holder mounted immediately above each heaterfor holding a fragrance gel pack which emits a fragrance when heated bythe respective heater. The gel pack holder includes a plurality ofopenings for emission of the vaporized gel fragrance to the outletopening in the housing.

A fan can also be provided in the housing for blowing the vaporizedfragrance to the outlet opening in the housing.

The housing preferably includes a base including the first heater,second heater, first holder, second holder, and control circuit; and acover for covering the base and including the outlet opening.

Preferably, there are more than two bottles. Thus, there is at least oneadditional holder in the housing for adjustably holding at least oneadditional liquid fragrance container having a wick extending therefrom,at a desired height such that the respective wick thereof is surroundedby the at least one additional heater when the at least one liquidfragrance container is held by the at least one additional holder.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the inventionwill become readily apparent from the following detailed descriptionthereof which is to be read in connection with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a multi-fragrance scent dispenseraccording to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the multi-fragrance scentdispenser;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the multi-fragrance scentdispenser;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the multi-fragrance scent dispenser;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the multi-fragrance scent dispenserof FIG. 2, taken along line 5—5 thereof;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the multi-fragrance scent dispenserof FIG. 3, taken along line 6—6 thereof;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the multi-fragrance scent dispenserof FIG. 3, taken along line 7—7 thereof;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the heater, wick andblocking plate of the multi-fragrance scent dispenser of FIG. 1, in thelowest position of the blocking plate;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the heater, wick andblocking plate of the multi-fragrance scent dispenser of FIG. 1, in amiddle position of the blocking plate;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the heater, wick andblocking plate of the multi-fragrance scent dispenser of FIG. 1, in thehighest position of the blocking plate;

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of a bottle of fragrance that can beused with the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of the bottle of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of the bottle of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a circuit wiring diagram of the main circuit board of themulti-fragrance scent dispenser;

FIGS. 15 a-15 g are elevational views of alternative shaped bottles offragrances that can be used with the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a scent dispenser according to anotherembodiment of the present invention, with the cover positioned thereon;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the scent dispenser of FIG. 16, withthe cover removed;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the scent dispenser of FIG. 16,taken along line 18—18 thereof;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the scent dispenser of FIG. 16,taken along line 19—19 thereof;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the scent dispenser of FIG. 16,taken along line 20—20 thereof;

FIG. 21 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the clamp mechanism,adjustment arrangement, and gel pack housing;

FIG. 22 is a bottom plan view of the clamping mechanism;

FIG. 23 is a top plan view of the clamping mechanism;

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the clamping mechanism shown in theclamping position;

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the clamping mechanism shown in therelease position;

FIG. 26 is a side elevational view of a gel pack;

FIG. 27 is a bottom plan view of the gel pack;

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of a heater assembly and gel packhousing holding a gel pack; and

FIG. 29 is a top plan view of the gel pack housing holding a gel pack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings in detail, a scent dispenser 10 according tothe present invention includes a main housing 12 made of a suitable hardplastic material. Main housing 12 has a general shape of a rocket ship,although the present invention is not limited to this particular shape.Thus, main housing 12 tapers toward its upper end, and includes aperipheral wall 14 which has a lower open end 16 and a central opening18 at the upper end thereof. There is also an elongated side opening 20at the right side thereof in FIG. 1. As shown best in FIGS. 2, 6 and 7,main housing 12 includes a rear housing extension 21 which houses theelectrical components, as will be described in more detail hereafter.

As shown best in FIGS. 5 and 7, a fragrance bottle support 22 ispositioned within housing 12 and is secured by an annular securing wall23 to the inner surface of peripheral wall 14. Fragrance bottle support22 includes a first cylindrical wall 24 having a lower inturned annularlip 26 for holding a first bottle 28 containing a liquid fragrance and asecond cylindrical wall 30 having a lower inturned annular lip 32 forholding a second bottle 34 containing a second, different liquidfragrance. An upper wall 36 partially closes the upper end of eachcylindrical wall 24 and 30, and each upper wall 36 has an opening 38therein. A divider wall 44 separates first cylindrical wall 24 fromsecond cylindrical wall 30.

Bottles 28 and 34 each have a main body 46 and a neck portion 48 withthreads 50 thereon for threadedly receiving a cap (not shown) thereon.An annular ledge 52 is formed on neck portion 48 immediately belowthreads 50 and has dimensions similar to the inner dimensions of firstcylindrical walls 24 and 30. When bottle 28 is inserted through loweropen end 16, neck portion 48 thereof is inserted through the lower openend of first cylindrical wall 24. Continued insertion of bottle 28results in annular ledge 52 being forced through lower inturned annularlip 26, whereupon annular ledge 52 is then captured by lower inturnedannular lip 26. A similar operation occurs with respect to bottle 34,second cylindrical wall 30 and lower inturned annular lip 32, whereuponannular ledge 52 of second bottle 34 is captured by lower inturnedannular lip 32.

The present invention is not limited to these bottle shapes, and anyother suitable bottle shapes can be used, such as shown by bottles 28a-28 g in FIGS. 15 a-15 g.

A wick 54 extends outwardly from the open end of each neck portion 48and through the respective opening 38. Each wick 54 carries liquid fromthe respective bottle 28 or 34 to the upper end of the wick 54.

Heater housings 56 surround each wick 54 and encase heater assemblies 58a and 58 b, respectively. When the respective heater assembly 58 a or 58b is activated, the heat therefrom is transferred through the heaterhousing 56 to the respective wick 54. As a result, the liquid at theupper end of the wick 54 is vaporized by the heat, and released toatmosphere through opening 18.

Each heater housing 56 includes an inner annular wall 60 surrounding therespective wick 54. Inner annular wall 60 includes an upper annular wallsection 60 a of a first inner diameter and a lower annular wall section60 b of a second inner diameter which is less than the first innerdiameter and which is connected to upper annular wall section 60 a by anannular shoulder 60 c.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a fragranceblocking assembly 62 is provided for blocking some of the evaporation ofthe fragrance by heater assemblies 58 a and 58 b. Specifically,fragrance blocking assembly 62 includes a blocking plate 66 havingopenings 68 which can be in alignment with the inner diameters of upperannular wall sections 60 a in order to permit the escape of vaporizedfragrances. As will be explained hereafter, blocking plate 66 can movehorizontally above heater assemblies 58 a and 58 b.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 8, when blocking plate 66 is in a first position,openings 68 are out of alignment with the openings provided by upperannular wall sections 60 a, thereby blocking some of the evaporatedfragrance. FIG. 9 shows an intermediate position where openings 68 areout of alignment with the openings provided by upper annular wallsections 60 a to a lesser extent, thereby blocking a lesser amount ofthe evaporated fragrance. Finally, as shown in FIG. 10, openings 68 arein alignment with the openings provided by upper annular wall sections60 a, thereby permitting escape of all of the evaporated fragrance. As aresult, a simple fragrance adjusting mechanism is provided. Althoughonly three positions are shown, it will be appreciated that thepositions of blocking plate 66 can be infinitely variable, and is notlimited to these three positions, which are shown only for explanatorypurposes.

In order to move blocking plate 66 toward and away from heaterassemblies 58 a and 58 b, blocking plate 66 is mounted within guides 64that extend above, to the sides and to the bottom of blocking plate 66so that only horizontal linear movement of blocking plate 66 ispermitted between the positions shown in FIGS. 8-10.

A slide plate 70 is connected to one end of blocking plate 66, and abutton 72 is mounted to slide plate 70 and extends out through sideopening 20 for movement therealong. Thus, as button 72 is moved alongside opening 20, upper plate 66 is moved up and down therewith, therebyadjusting the positions of blocking plates 64, and thereby adjusting theheat that is imparted to wicks 54. As a result, the amount of evaporatedfragrance that escapes is adjusted, so that the amount of scent that isprovided is also adjusted. Button 72 and/or slide plate 70 aremaintained in position by friction ribs on the housing.

A printed circuit board 74 is provided in rear housing extension 21 andincludes various circuit components 76 thereon, and a printed circuitboard 75 is mounted at the front of main housing 12.

Printed circuit board 74 is connected through a wire 78 with two plugblades 80 which extend out from rear housing extension 21 for insertioninto a conventional wall socket for the supply of electricity, forexample, 125 volt AC input. Printed circuit board 74 is electricallyconnected with heater assemblies 58 a and 58 b for controlling operationthereof.

Plug blades 80 can rotated in a turning plug 82 of a plug blade bracket84, in order to adjust the angle and orientation of scent dispenser 10.A horizontal elongated socket blocking plate 86 is preferably secured torear housing extension 21 to block the socket when plug blades 80 areplugged into the socket.

As an alternative, wire 78 can extend out of rear housing extension 21and be connected to an electrical plug having plug blades 80. In thismanner, scent dispenser 10 can be mounted on a flat surface, such as atable.

The circuitry of circuit components 76 and their connections on printedcircuit boards 74 and 75 will now be discussed in detail with referenceto FIG. 14. As shown therein, plug blades 80 are connected to electricalconnections 88 of an AC input, for example, at 125 VAC, which issupplied through a voltage stepdown capacitor/resistor circuit 90comprised of a resistor R1 and capacitor C1 to a rectifier circuit 92 inorder to provide a DC input. The DC input is then supplied to a centralprocessing unit (CPU) 94 to supply power therefor, with centralprocessing unit selectively supplying power to heater assemblies 58 aand 58 b.

Once scent dispenser 10 is plugged into an electrical socket, power issupplied to CPU 94 to start operation. CPU 94 is controlled by internalsoftware to first activate heater assembly 58 a for a predeterminedperiod of time, for example, twelve hours. At the end of the twelve hourtime period, CPU 94 automatically terminates power to heater assembly 58a and then activates heater assembly 58 b for the same twelve hourperiod. During this latter activation, a new fragrance bottle 28 can beinserted therein in order to replenish the liquid fragrance for the nexttwelve hour cycle, and so on. In this manner, a person does not becomeaccustomed to a particular scent. Whenever heater assembly 58 a isactivated, a light emitting diode (LED) 96 on printed circuit board 75and which is visible through an opening in the left side of the front ofmain housing 12, is activated to light up. On the other hand, wheneverheater assembly 58 b is activated, a light emitting diode (LED) 98 onprinted circuit board 75 and which is visible through an opening in theright side of the front of main housing 12, is activated to light up.

A person can override the twelve hour programming. In this regard, atactile switch 100 which is accessible through an opening the front ofmain housing 12, connects an input of CPU 94 to ground to control CPU toautomatically switch over and activate the other heater assembly 58 a or58 b and activate the other fragrance for the start of a new twelve hourtime period, and thereby start the cycles running again.

Referring now to FIGS. 16-29, a scent dispenser 110 according to anotherembodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail.

Scent dispenser 110 according to the present invention includes a mainhousing 112 made of a suitable hard plastic material. Main housing 112includes a base 114 for housing the fragrance materials, the heaterassemblies and the circuitry, and a dome cover 116 for covering base114. Cover 116 includes an opening 118 at the upper end thereof foremission of the vaporized scents.

Base 114 includes a generally lower oval shaped section 120 with acentral generally oval shaped recess 122. Vertically extending end walls124 and 126 are provided at opposite ends of the oval shaped recess 122,and vertically extending divider walls 128 and 130 divide the areabetween end walls 124 and 126 into three bottle holding areas 132. Itwill be appreciated, however, that the present invention is not limitedto three bottle holding areas 132 and can be provided with more or lessthan three such areas. End walls 124 and 126 having inwardly extendingstops 134 at the same height, and divider walls 128 and 130 have stops136 extending from opposite sides at the upper ends thereof. Bottleholding areas 132 are further defined by a rear wall 138 having stops140 and a front wall 142 having stops 144. The respective walls definingbottle holding areas 132 are not shown in FIG. 17 for the sake ofclarity in the drawing. Preferably, walls 124, 126, 138 and 142 arearranged in an oval configuration, as shown in FIG. 20.

A platform 146 is slidably positioned in each bottle holding area 132and is biased upwardly therein by a coil spring 148. In this regard, acircular boss 150 extends centrally from the lower end of each platform146 in surrounding relation to an opening 152 in each platform 146. Oneend of the respective coil spring 148 extends around each circular boss150. A circular boss 154 extends from the bottom wall 114 a of base 114in each bottle holding area 132 for receiving the opposite end of therespective coil spring 148. Stops 134, 136, 140 and 144 function aslimits as to the upward movement of platforms 146.

A fragrance bottle 156 sits on the upper surface of each platform 146and each fragrance bottle 156 includes a main body 158 and a neckportion 160. The neck portions 160 are not shown in FIG. 17 for the sakeof clarity in the drawing. A wick 162 extends outwardly from the upperopen end of each bottle 156, either from main body 158 or from neckportion 160. Each wick 162 carries liquid from the respective bottle 156to the upper end of the wick 162. The length of each wick 162 willdepend on the height of the bottle 156 and the weight of the bottle 156,that is, the extent that the respective platform 146 compresses theassociated coil spring 148.

A cylindrical support wall 164 extends above each bottle 156 and ismounted to end walls 124 and 126 and to rear wall 138 by an upper plate166 having openings 168 centrally located relative to each cylindricalsupport wall 164. Cylindrical heater housings 170 extend within openings168 and extend downwardly from upper plate 166 in surrounding relationto each wick 162 and in surrounding relation to each respective opening168. Each heater housing 170 has a central opening 171 through which thewick 162 extends. Each heater housing 170 houses a heater assembly 172therein. When the respective heater assembly 172 is activated, the heattherefrom is transferred through the heater housing 170 to therespective wick 162. As a result, the liquid at the upper end of thewick 162 is vaporized by the heat, and released to atmosphere throughopening 118. Further, lights 173 a-173 c are provided on a ledge 175 ofbase 114 in front of each bottle 156. Thus, the respective light 173a-173 c is illuminated in correspondence with the heater assembly 172then being activated. The illuminated light 173 a, 173 b or 173 c can beviewed through a window 116 a in cover 116.

In order to stably support bottles 156 at different heights, due todifferent shapes, configurations and weights of bottles 156, a clampingmechanism 174 extends down from each cylindrical support wall 164.Specifically, each clamping mechanism 174 includes a hollow, rectangularclamp housing 176. Two scissor-like arms 178 are horizontally positionedin each housing 176. Each scissor-like arm 178 has an arcuate centersection 180, with the two arcuate center sections 180 being in opposingrelation to each other, for engaging around the neck 160 of a bottle156. Each scissor-like arm 178 includes a rear extension 182 extendingrearwardly of arcuate center section 180 through a slot 183 in a rearwall 176 a of housing 176, and a front extension 184 extending forwardlyof arcuate center section 180 through a slot 186 in a front wall 176 bof housing 176. Side walls 176 c and 176 d of each housing 176 includeopposing cylindrical bosses 188, and coil springs 190 extend betweenposts 191 on the outer surfaces of arcuate center sections 180 and theinner surfaces of side walls 176 c and 176 d around bosses 188. Anopening 177 is provided in the upper wall 176 e of housing 176, and anopening 179 is provided in the lower wall 176 f of housing 176 forreceiving a neck 160 and wick 162 therethrough. Telescoping tube members212 and 214 can also be provided in surrounding relation to upperopening 177 for further adjustment, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 23.

Thus, as shown in FIGS. 22-24, coil springs 190 normally bias arcuatecenter sections 180 toward each other. However, when front extensions184 are squeezed together toward each other, as shown in FIG. 25,arcuate center sections 180 move away from each other to permit entry ofthe neck 160 of a bottle 156, whereupon front extensions 184 arereleased. As a result, coil springs 190 bias arcuate center sections 180in a grasping relation around the neck 160 of bottle 156. Because theouter diameters of neck portions 160 of bottles 156 vary in size, forexample, from diameters in the range of about 14 mm to 24 mm, arcuatecenter sections 180 can be arranged to clamp any size bottle 156.

Each clamping mechanism 174 further includes an adjustment arrangement192 for vertically moving hollow, rectangular clamp housing 176 in orderto adjust for different height bottles 156. Adjustment arrangement 192includes three telescopically arranged tubes 194, 196 and 198telescopically received in cylindrical support wall 164 and which stayin a set position by means of friction between the tubes 194, 196 and198, and such that the tubes will also not rotate relative to eachother. Specifically, a radially inwardly extending annular lip 200 isformed at the lower end of each cylindrical support wall 164. Tube 194slidably fits within cylindrical support wall 164 and has a radiallyoutwardly extending annular lip 202 at the upper end thereof with outerdimensions similar to the inner dimensions of cylindrical support wall164. Thus, annular lip 200 engages with annular lip 202 to preventescape of tube 194 from cylindrical support wall 164, while permittingsliding movement therein.

A radially inwardly extending annular lip 204 is formed at the lower endof tube 194. Tube 196 slidably fits within tube 194 and has a radiallyoutwardly extending annular lip 206 at the upper end thereof with outerdimensions similar to the inner dimensions of tube 194. Thus, annularlip 204 engages with annular lip 206 to prevent escape of tube 196 fromtube 194, while permitting sliding movement therein.

A radially inwardly extending annular lip 208 is formed at the lower endof tube 196. Tube 198 slidably fits within tube 196 and has a radiallyoutwardly extending annular lip 210 at the upper end thereof with outerdimensions similar to the inner dimensions of tube 196. Thus, annularlip 208 engages with annular lip 210 to prevent escape of tube 198 fromtube 196, while permitting sliding movement therein. The lower end oftube 198 is fixed to clamp housing 176.

As an alternative to fragrance bottles 156, a gel pack housing 216 ismounted on the upper surface of upper plate 166 for holding a fragrancegel pack 218 above each heater assembly 172. Specifically, each gel packhousing 216 includes a lower rectangular section 220 that is open at thelower end, and the front and rear thereof. An upper rectangular section222 of a larger width is mounted to the upper end of lower rectangularsection 220 and is open at the lower end thereof so an to be in opencommunication with lower rectangular section 220. Upper rectangularsection 222 is also open at the front and rear thereof. The upper wall224 of upper rectangular section 222 includes elongated openings 226through which the scent can escape to opening 118 in cover 116. In thismanner, each gel pack 218 includes a rectangular container 228 of amaterial that does not permit escape of the gel 219 in liquid form, butpermits escape of the gaseous fragrance when the gel vaporizes. A widerporous and rigid holder 230 is secured to the upper surface of container228. Thus, when holder 230 slides, within upper rectangular section 222,container 228 is slid within lower rectangular section 220 immediatelyabove opening 171 so that the gel 219 can be vaporized and escape to theatmosphere to emit the fragrance.

Rear wall 138, along with a rear wall 112 a of main housing 112, endwall 124, and a top wall 231, function to define a circuit area 232 forholding a printed circuit board 234 having circuit components 236thereon that control operation of scent dispenser 110, in the samemanner as printed circuit board 74 and circuit components 76. Printedcircuit board 234 is connected through wires 235 with two plug blades(not shown) which extend out from housing 112 for insertion into aconventional wall socket for the supply of electricity, for example, 125volt AC input. Printed circuit board 234 is electrically connected withheater assemblies 172 for controlling operation thereof.

In addition, a fan 238 is mounted to a fan support 240 in circuit area232. In this regard, rear wall 112 a and top wall 231 are provided withopenings 242 and 244, respectively, for ventilation. Cover 116 alsoincludes openings 245 in the rear wall thereof which are in alignmentwith openings 242 when cover 116 is assembled with base 114, as shown inFIG. 19. Thus, fan 238 pulls air from the outside of housing 112 throughopenings 242 and blows the air out through openings 244. As a result,the vaporized fragrance is entrained by the air from openings 244 andcarried out through opening 118 in cover 116. Fan 238 is controlled bythe central processing unit (CPU) of circuit components 236.

A printed circuit board 246 is mounted inside of main housing 112 and atone side thereof, and is electrically connected to main printed circuitboard 234. Printed circuit board 246 includes various control buttonsand light indicators which are accessible through side openings inhousing 112. Specifically, there is a toggle switch 248 that turns thescent dispenser 110 on and off, and functions as a main switch. Inaddition, there is a heat adjustment switch 250 that can control theenergy supplied to heater assemblies 172 to control the heat to be low,medium or high. Each depression of button switch 250 toggles the settingbetween low, medium and high. In addition, there are three lightemitting diodes (LEDs) 252, 254 and 256 to indicate the heat setting oflow, medium and high. A third button switch 258 is also provided tocontrol the fan 238 to be off, on for one minute and off for fiveminutes, and on continuously, in a toggle manner. In this regard, thereare three light emitting diodes (LEDs) 260, 262 and 264 to indicate thefan settings of off, on for one minute and off for five minutes, and oncontinuously.

Once scent dispenser 110 is turned on, and the heat and fan settings aremade, the appropriate heater assembly 172 is activated to heat therespective wick 162 and thereby vaporize the liquid fragrance. Thecentral processing unit (CPU) is preset with the amount of time that theheater assemblies are activated, for example, four, six or eight hours,and starts the timer running. If scent dispenser 110 is turned off inthe middle of a cycle, and then turned back on, the CPU calculates theremaining time in the cycle for that particular scent and activates therespective heater assembly 172 for that period of time. At the end ofthis period of time, this heater assembly 172 is deactivated, and theheater assembly 172 for the next fragrance is activated, whereupon thetimer starts running again.

In addition, or alternatively, a fragrance selection switch can beprovided, similar to that of tactile switch 100 to automatically switchover and activate the next heater assembly 172 and activate anotherfragrance for the start of a new time period, and thereby start thecycles running again.

It will therefore be appreciated that, in addition to the aspects of thefirst embodiment of scent dispenser 10, scent dispenser 110 adds theaspects of the spring biased platforms 146 which support bottles 156,the clamp housings 176 which clamp on different neck sizes, theextendable tubes 194, 196 and 198 to accommodate the different sizebottles 156, the use of the gel packs 218 above the heater assemblies172, and the fan 238 for blowing the fragrance out of scent dispenser110.

Of course, it will be appreciated that the gel packs 218 can be used inplace of the bottles 156, or alternatively, the bottles 156 can be usedwithout the gel packs 218, but not together. Thus for example, twobottles 156 and one gel pack 218 can be used.

Having described specific preferred embodiments of the invention withreference to the accompanying drawings, it will be appreciated that thepresent invention is not limited to those precise embodiments and thatvarious changes and modifications can be effected therein by one ofordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope or spirit ofthe invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. A multi-fragrance scent dispenser comprising: a housing having anoutlet opening; a first holder in the housing for holding a first liquidfragrance container having a first wick extending out of the firstliquid fragrance container; a second holder in the housing for holding asecond liquid fragrance container having a second wick extending out ofthe second liquid fragrance container; a first heater positioned in saidhousing to be in surrounding relation to said first wick when said firstliquid fragrance container is held by said first holder, a second heaterpositioned in said housing to be in surrounding relation to said secondwick when said first liquid fragrance container is held by said firstholder; a control circuit for selectively controlling activation of saidfirst and second heaters; at least one blocking plate movable relativeto said heaters for at least partially blocking escape of evaporatedfragrance through said outlet opening from at least one of said firstand second wicks, said at least one blocking plate including at leastone opening for movement into and out of alignment with said first andsecond wicks for adjusting escape of the evaporated fragrance from thefirst and second wicks, and said at least one blocking plate ispositioned above said first and second wicks for slidable movementrelative to said first and second wicks; and a moving assembly securedto said at least one blocking plate for moving said at least oneblocking plate such that the at least one opening is moved into and outof alignment with said first and second wicks for adjusting escape ofthe evaporated fragrance fragrance from the first and second wicks.
 2. Amulti-fragrance scent dispenser according to claim 1, wherein saidmoving assembly includes: a slide plate connected to said at least oneblocking plate first for moving said at least one blocking plate to saiddifferent positions; and a slide member connected to said slide plateand which is manually actuable for moving said slide plate, and therebysaid at least one blocking plate.
 3. A multi-fragrance scent dispenseraccording to claim 2, wherein said housing includes a slide opening andsaid slide member is accessible through said housing for manually movingsaid slide member.
 4. A multi-fragrance scent dispenser according toclaim 1, wherein said control circuit includes an actuation circuit foralternately controlling actuation of said first heater and said secondheater.
 5. A multi-fragrance scent dispenser according to claim 4,wherein said actuation circuit alternately controls actuation of saidfirst heater for a predetermined time interval and said second heaterfor said predetermined time interval.
 6. A multi-fragrance scentdispenser according to claim 5, wherein said actuation circuit furtherincludes an override switch for controlling said actuation circuit toterminate actuation of the actuated heater and to actuate thenon-actuated heater, regardless of the predetermined time interval, andthen to start running of the predetermined time interval.
 7. Amulti-fragrance scent dispenser according to claim 4, further includinga first light visible through said housing and which is activated whensaid first heater is actuated and a second light visible through saidhousing and which is activated when said second heater is actuated.
 8. Amulti-fragrance scent dispenser according to claim 4, wherein saidactuation circuit includes a central processing unit.
 9. Amulti-fragrance scent dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said firstholder includes an inturned wall for receiving a neck of said firstliquid fragrance container in a snap-fitting manner; and said secondholder includes an inturned wall for receiving a neck of said secondliquid fragrance container in a snap-fitting manner.
 10. Amulti-fragrance scent dispenser according to claim 9, wherein each saidliquid fragrance container includes an outer lip on said neck forsnap-fitting with said inturned wall of the respective holder.
 11. Amulti-fragrance scent dispenser according to claim 10, wherein each saidholder includes a cylindrical wall for receiving said neck insurrounding relation thereto, and the inturned wall is formed at a lowerend of the cylindrical wall.
 12. A multi-fragrance scent dispenseraccording to claim 1, further including a heater housing for holdingeach heater, and said at least one blocking plate is movable betweeneach heater housing and the respective wick.